Nelson Mandela calls for world to donate generously to AIDS effort

JENNIFER CHENAssociated Press Writer

Published Friday, July 16, 2004

BANGKOK, Thailand -- Democracy icon Nelson Mandela called on governments, businesses and citizens Thursday to donate generously to the war on AIDS, saying "no amount is too small," as the United Nations blamed the epidemic for declining life expectancy in parts of Africa.

Mandela's fervent appeal at the 15th International AIDS Conference followed announcements by the European Union and Bill Gates' foundation of contributions totaling $102 million to a U.N.-sponsored global fund to fight the epidemic.

The former South African president, who survived tuberculosis in prison during his country's apartheid era, also called for increased efforts to control TB. The lung disease can be treated for as little as $10 per patient but still is the leading killer of people with the human immunodeficiency virus that causes AIDS.

As the six-day conference wound down ahead of its closing ceremony today, protests continued against President Bush's funding policies and his emphasis on abstinence over condoms as a primary defense against HIV transmission.

"Bush is a jerk. Condoms work," about 20 youth protesters shouted as they briefly took over a U.S. government booth at the conference, distributing literature promoting condom use.

Much of Bush's foreign policy on AIDS is tied to abstinence programs. Critics say a vow of abstinence is difficult to maintain and, when broken, can lead to unprotected sex, raising the risk of HIV infection that could effectively be blocked by a condom.

Thursday was the last day of scientific presentations, with experts calling for urgent work on HIV-killing gels that could help protect women who can't rely on condoms. The gels, known as microbicides, and other prevention methods like female condoms have gained importance as it has become clear an AIDS vaccine is still a long way off.

The vaginal gels could be applied long before intercourse and without a partner's knowledge. Dr. Zeda Rosenberg urged that $1 billion be poured into research on such products over the next five years.

More than 38 million people are infected with HIV worldwide, about 25 million of them in sub-Saharan Africa. Some 3 million people died of AIDS last year and only about 440,000 in the developing world are receiving treatment.

Donors have committed a total of $3.4 billion through 2004, enough to meet its needs through the end of the year, but pledges for 2005 through 2008 are just $2 billion, far below the $3.6 billion that the Fund projects it will need in 2005 alone.

The European Union's head office said Thursday it is delivering another $52 million to the fund as part of a $569 million pledge for 2002-2006.

The EU is the second-largest contributor to the fund after the United States, which has given about $580 million so far. Bush has proposed giving another $200 million for 2005.